This week’s new releases feature 19 games that aren’t heavy hitters, but are titles that can provide a decent distraction until the big November games arrive. With dancing games like Disney’s Fantasia and Just Dance 2015, button-mashing titles like The Legend of Korra and Bayonetta 2, and unique indie games such as Escape Goat 2 and Fluster Cluck, the week of October 20, 2014 is sure to offer some good video games.
Note: All of the dates and prices listed below are for North American territories. Also, keep in mind that this list is subject to change with new games potentially announced or launching this week without notice.
Tuesday October 21, 2014:
- Escape Goat 2
Platform: PlayStation 4 (Digital Only)
Price: $TBD
As a goat (yes, a goat), you must try to overcome the stronghold of Toragos in the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2011 indie puzzle platformer. Escape Goat 2 features new rooms to solve, HD graphics, new lighting effects, and brand new traps to trigger.
- F1 2014
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Price: $49.99
F1 2014 is the newest Formula One racing game developed and published by Codemasters. This installment will allow racing enthusiasts to join the team and drivers of the 2014 season, and then race on new tracks such as the Red Bull Ring and Sochi Autodrom. Unlike previous F1 games, F1 2014’s Career Mode will allow players to choose any team to drive for from the get-go instead of working your way up from the bottom.
- Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360
Prices: $59.99 for the Xbox One Version, $49.99 for the Xbox 360 Version
Based on Disney’s Fantasia animated film, Music Evolved is a rhythm-based dancing game captured with the power of Microsoft’s Kinect. You’ll be able to dance to the beat of popular artists such as Lagy Gaga, Cee-Lo Green, Lorde and Imagine Dragons. Players will also be able to purchase additional songs via DLC following the game’s launch.
- Fluster Cluck
Platform: PlayStation 4 (Digital Only)
Price: $TBD
Fluster Cluck is a 4-player splitscreen twin stick shooter that relies heavily on the classic couch multiplayer fun. Although its main attraction is with its competitive multiplayer features, Fluster Cluck also has a single-player campaign and local co-op modes, so you’ll be able to destroy everything in sight as a chicken the way you want it.
- Jagged Alliance: Flashback
Platform: PC (Digital Only)
Price: $29.99 for the Standard Version, $59.99 for the Digital Deluxe Version
Following its Early Access distribution a couple of months ago, Jagged Alliance: Flashback is officially launching on PC this week. In this turn-based Tactical Strategy game, the player takes control of his own band of mercenaries that must fight to collect as many resources as possible. Additionally, the Digital Deluxe Version of Jagged Alliance: Flashback will give you the game, Jagged Alliance 1: Gold Edition and Space Hulk.
- Just Dance 2015
Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360. PlayStation 3, Wii
Prices: $49.99 for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Versions, $39.99 for the Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii Versions
Another dancing game is launching this week, this time it’s the highly popular dancing series from Ubisoft Just Dance. This year’s edition of Just Dance features 43 new tracks including hits like “Birthday” from Katy Perry, “Let It Go” from Idina Menzel and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Additionally, the game features a new mode titled Community Remix where players dance to songs that other players have played instead of the on-screen dancers.
- Need For Speed: Rivals – The Complete Edition
Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Price: $59.99
Last year’s Need For Speed: Rivals comes back as The Complete Edition this week, including all six of the game’s previously released DLC. The DLC packs include the Ferrari Edition Special Complete Pack, the Simply Jaguar Complete Pack, the Concept Lamborghini Complete Pack, The Koenigsegg Agera One, the Complete Movie Pack and the Loaded Garage Pack. If you did not get the chance to experience all of Rivals’ DLC last year, this is the perfect opportunity to snag it at a cheap price.
- Race the Sun
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita (Digital Only on All Platforms)
Price: $TBD (Cross-Buy/Cross-Save)
As an endless runner-type game, Race the Sun has player control a solar-powered ship, dodging all sorts of obstacles coming your way. The goal is to complete each of the race’s three missions in order to earn experience points that will help you get higher scores later on. Plus, the levels change on a daily basis, so there will always be some variety in the level design.
- Samurai Warriors 4
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita (Digital Only on PS3 and PS Vita)
Prices: $59.99 for the PlayStation 4 Version, $TBD for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita Versions
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of this Dynasty Warriors spinoff, Tecmo Koei’s fourth installment in the Samurai Warriors series launches this week on the PlayStation platforms exclusively. While the gameplay remains identical to the previous entries in the franchise, players will be able to hack and slash their way through multiple enemies with brand new characters and a couple of new moves at their disposal. Take note that the PS3 and PS Vita versions of the game are only available digitally at launch.
- Shadow Warrior
Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Price: $39.99
Over a year after its original release on PC, the reboot of the 1997’s First-Person Shooter, Shadow Warrior, releases on the current gen systems this week. As Lo Wang, the player will have to master the over-the-top art of shooting guns as well as slicing enemies away with his powerful katana. It’s an extremely violent game that makes absolutely no sense, just like the original title.
- The Legend of Korra
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PC (Xbox One and Xbox 360 Versions Available October 22) – (Digital Only on All Platforms)
Price: $14.99
Based off the popular anime series of the same name, The Legend of Korra is a Third-Person action game developed by Platinum Games. Set between the events of the second and third seasons of The Last Airbender’s sequel series, Korra will have to blend the elements of water, fire, earth and air to successfully vanquish the evil Hundun, which was released into the world at the end of the second season. Since it is developed by the people behind Bayonetta, expect lots of crazy button combinations and mindless fun with The Legend of Korra’s gameplay. Also, take note that the Xbox One and Xbox 360 versions of the game launch on Wednesday October 22 instead of October 21.
- The Voice: I Want You
Platforms: Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii
Prices: $49.99 for the Wii U, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 Versions, $39.99 for the Wii Version
Are you the kind of person that wants to experience the same path to stardom as the singers in the reality TV show The Voice? Well, Activision is releasing the perfect game to satisfy your singing/karaoke needs. Players will be able to take on the same journey as the people who participate in the popular television show from the Blind Auditions all the way up until the Finale. You’ll be to sing to the rhythm of artists such as OneRepublic, Rihanna and Sara Bareilles in The Voice: I Want You.
- The Walking Dead – The Complete Second Season
Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Price: $29.99
The Second Season of Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead episodic series arrives on the current gen platforms for the first time this week. You’ll be able to play through the 5 episodes of Season Two as Clementine, which was a major character in Season One of The Walking Dead point-and-click adventure.
Thursday October 23, 2014:
- Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
Platforms: 3DS (Digital Only)
Price: $19.99
Following the events of Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, the player, once again, takes control of the half-genie Shantae as she tries to recover shards of genie magic scattered across Sequin Land before the diabolic Pirate Master is resurrected. By navigating through multiple worlds and heavens, Shantae will have to use her genie powers to collect pirate gear and progress through her quest.
Friday October 24, 2014:
- Bayonetta 2
Platform: Wii U
Price: $59.99
It has been a while since we have seen Bayonetta in a video game, but she is back this week for the Wii U exclusive sequel. You’ll have to fight countless enemies as the Umbra Witch by chaining crazy combos and taking full advantage of Witch Time, which is an ability that slows down enemies when you dodge at the right moment. Look out for our review of Bayonetta 2 following its official release and, in the meantime, you can read our detailed preview right here.
- Fantasy Life
Platform: 3DS
Price: $39.99
A month later, the RPG Fantasy Life has finally made its way to the Western market. You’ll be able to simulate a brand new virtual fantasy life, similar to how it is in games like Animal Crossing. Live the life you always wanted to live by planning your own adventure. The possibilities are limitless.
- Pokémon Art Academy
Platform: 3DS
Price: $29.99
Designed as an educational art game, Pokémon Art Academy hopes to teach you how to draw various Pokémon characters through 40 lessons. Players will learn new techniques depending on their drawing skill level and will even be able to be shared via Miiverse to take part in various art contests related to the game.
- Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth
Platform: PC
Price: $49.99
As a spiritual successor to Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri, Beyond Earth iterates on the ideas of the latest flagship Civilization game by bringing the series into a futuristic setting. You’ll still be able to enjoy the highly appreciated 4X turn-based Strategy gameplay that the Civ franchise has always been known for, but with various twists to the Civilization model.
Are you planning on getting some games from this list this week? If so, let us know which ones in the comments below and, as always, stay tuned to Gamer Headlines for all things gaming.
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